Skip to content

Traditional Acupuncture in Bartlett, IL

One community acupuncture logo

Uncategorized

Cancer Treatment Side Effects? Acupuncture to the Rescue

Cancer Treatment Side Effects? Acupuncture to the Rescue

Cancer treatments can cause a variety of other side effects that also need to be addressed. More and more research is showing acupuncture as a viable option for additional pain management for those receiving chemotherapy or surgery and for the common side effects those treatments can bring. These side effects can include neuropathy, dry mouth, constipation, anxiety, and nausea. continue reading »

Herbal Spring Cleaning: 3 Surprisingly Powerful Herbs for the Liver

Timing is everything. Nature knows this and teaches us if we are paying attention. From winter to spring we can witness a drastic change in our environment. As that fresh spring breeze blows in and the cold barren landscape transforms into a vibrant display of life, we may feel like getting outside and shaking off some of that winter sluggishness.

In Chinese medicine, Spring is liver time, which is a time of rebirth, growth and movement. It is also a perfect time for supporting our liver function with some gentle detoxification. In accord with Chinese Medicine theory, the regeneration of liver cells is measurably more prolific after the spring equinox.  Our bodies know what to do. Liver function, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), includes regulating the movement of qi (energy) and blood in the body. It’s all about getting things moving again after nature’s slow season.

From a western biomedical standpoint, the liver is mainly an organ of detoxification. The liver degrades old red and white blood cells and breaks down toxic chemicals, cleansing and refreshing the blood. It actively filters 1.3 – 1.5 liters of blood every single minute.  It also synthesizes bile which carries toxins out of the body through the intestines.

There are 2 main phases of detoxification in the liver that process contaminants like medications, alcohol, and environmental toxins. Phase 1 is responsible for transforming fat-soluble compounds into water-soluble compounds. Phase 2 converts pesticides, alcohol, toxic metals, excess hormones etc. into safer compounds that can then be eliminated by other organs.

Herbology is the internal medicine branch of TCM. We can support liver function and in turn our natural spring renewal process with the use of some Chinese herbs. With an understanding that the safest and most effective herbal therapy is a customized one, we can look at a few herbal detox superheros:

Turmeric: (jiang huang)

TCM categorizes this herb as a blood mover. It unblocks qi and blood stasis and eases pain.

Western pharmacology recognizes its blood-moving and anti-inflammatory properties as well.  It is known to support both phase 1 and phase 2 of liver detox. A study on mice showed it also improved liver detoxification by lowering inflammatory markers, reducing oxidative stress and increasing glutathione (another important body detoxification product made in the liver).

Turmeric can be enjoyed as a food, seasoning, supplement, or in tea. ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder can be added to meals. Be sure to add a little black pepper to increase absorption. You can also grate fresh turmeric root into soups, salads and curries.

Schizandra Berry (wu wei zi )

This amazing medicinal herb is also known as 5 flavor berry because it exhibits all 5 flavors. It also remarkably enters all 12 meridians and therefore has multiple beneficial effects on the body. It is mainly thought of as having an astringent action, which can treat symptoms of liver and kidney deficiency by preventing loss of qi and yin fluids. Bio-chemically, it is known to support regeneration of healthy liver cells. It has been used to help induce regeneration of liver tissue after part of the liver was surgically removed.  It also activates the phase 1 detox pathway, helps to decrease free radicals, protects cell membranes, and can assist in lowering stress-related increases of liver enzymes.

Small amounts of the berries can be eaten fresh or dried and there are also tinctures, powders and supplements. But why not relax with a cup of some medicinal and delicious 5-flavor tea?

Gold Coin Grass: (jin qian cao)

Another herbal powerhouse to keep on hand for spring cleaning is Gold Coin Grass. TCM functions are to drain damp, remove heat and toxins, and eliminate stasis. In Western herbology, it is recognized for its ability to dissolve and prevent gallstones and promote bile secretion to help to move sediment and clear bile ducts. This is in addition to it’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects

Gold Coin Grass is known for making a drinkable tea, but can also be taken as a supplement or tincture. It is not advisable for patients with diarrhea or those on anti-diuretic medications.

Listen to your body this spring. You may hear it calling for exercise, or emotional release. While you’re at it, try one of these 3 herbal superheroes and see what their powers can do for you!

To discover the full benefits of Chinese herbal therapy and how it can help you optimally adjust to the changing season, call your Chinese Medicine practitioner to schedule your next appointment!

Effortless Healing: Can Imbalances Clear up on their Own?

Effortless healing with acupuncture

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: Yes, but…..there are a few things to consider when relying on our ‘natural propensity towards health’. The most important of which is entropy, the second law of thermodynamics, a disorderly force we must contend with. It runs counter to the organizational efforts of nature, but also works in balance with them, in yet another dynamic expression of yin and yang.

Entropy is played out in living systems as the natural deterioration of the body. As we age past mid-life our body tissues and physiological systems gradually lose their vibrance. Structure and function suffer, as entropy takes over in the process of decay necessary to the cycle of life. So, where we are in the stages of development/decline in life is a big determining factor for the ability to self-heal.

How much entropy are we up against? Imbalances have a much better chance of resolving themselves while we are young and more in the yang (growth) phase of our life versus the yin (decline) phase. Severity of disease or injury also dictates the level of counter-entropy efforts needed.

Regardless of age, however,  and even the severity of our condition, we can still tap into our innate healing energy under certain conditions. And yes, some of those conditions can be practically effortless, depending on how you look at it.

One condition is: stop doing the things that are pushing your body into a state of entropy. Don’t keep eating toxic food, don’t keep putting yourself in overly stressful situations (as much as you can control it), in other words: don’t keep banging your head against the wall.

The other condition is that your qi must be strong. In TCM terms, qi IS that natural healing force. It is that spark of life that organizes chaos into form and function. Qi can be supported by even minimal efforts such as adequate sleep, meditation, or simply sitting quietly in a restful but conscious state.

While some of us call it qi, others think of it as the inborn system of self-preservation. Zhigou Wang, a biomedicine researcher from China, breaks down the ways the human body resists entropy into 4 processes[1]: self-organization, self-defense, self-healing and anti-wear and tear.

Self-organization can be witnessed in the miracle of development, the way a single cell matures into a full grown organism. Scientists at Tufts university looked at this miracle in early stages of tadpole development. In doing so they documented a perfect physical representation of the organizing power of qi: patterns of visible bioelectrical signals outlining and directing the development of the embryo.[2]

Self-defense includes our immune system, inflammatory response, endogenous antioxidants, the stress response, autophagy and apoptosis (the destruction and removal of sick cells).

Self-healing includes compensatory mechanisms like the increase in heart rate that occurs to compensate for slow circulation due to heart damage. This is also the category of cell/tissue renewal. Think of a wound healing, or a broken bone that seems to magically repair itself over time. When a large number of cells are destroyed, surrounding cells replicate to make new ones. Self healing also happens on a molecular level with DNA repair. There is a natural editing process at work correcting damaged or mutated DNA. Finally, anti-wear and tear is simply the daily process of upkeep necessary to mend minor internal injuries that arise from continued use of the body’s tissues.

And while these self-preservation mechanisms can help to slow or even reverse the degradation of our living system, there are no guarantees (well, except eventual death).

Effortless repair and renewal does happen, even in seemingly miraculous ways, but every little effort to support this process gives us a better shot at healing, and a better chance at enjoying the best quality of life. Acupuncture is one of the best tools for supporting all aspects of this self-preservation system. It has been shown to strengthen immunity and regulate inflammation[3] , aid in tissue renewal[4], and even DNA repair[5].  It does this because it supports the driving force of this self-preservation system, that spark of life, that intelligent bio-electrical energy that organizes and directs our growth and healing: or as practitioners of Chinese medicine have called it for millennia: qi.

Yes, it takes effort to call and make an appointment but once you are on the table you can relax and allow your acupuncturist to support your own effortless healing abilities. The gentle placement of needles at various acupuncture points will free up the flow of your own qi-driven self-preservation system.

[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095809921003866#!

[2] https://now.tufts.edu/news-releases/face-frog-time-lapse-video-reveals-never-seen

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4540978/

[4] https://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1939-acupuncture-muscle-regeneration-discovery-2

[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19873920/

Does weather affect your body?

We’ve probably all heard motherly advice at some point reminding us to bundle up in cold weather so we don’t “catch a cold”, or hear grandpa accurately predict a storm when his hip starts aching. Or how about getting a case of the winter weather blues? Even in the western world we recognize a relationship with nature in terms of environmental conditions. Changes in temperature, sunlight, barometric pressure, and humidity all play a role in this relationship. 

When it comes to the weather and our health, many in the west automatically think of how season changes and extreme weather can aggravate symptoms of asthma and allergies, but weather-related health concerns go far beyond seasonal allergies and asthma.  Changes in barometric pressure can affect joints (like Grandpa’s hip), and cause headaches. 

Headaches can also be caused by heat and dehydration, so summer adventurers beware (bring lots of water!). High humidity can intensify heat too as it limits our ability to cool down through sweating, potentially leading to hyperthermia and heat stroke.  

Cold weather can tighten muscles causing body pain. It also constricts blood vessels leading to an increase in blood pressure and increased risks of heart attack and stroke. While blood pressure tends to be higher in the winter, any temperature extreme, hot or cold, can affect heart function. 

Sunlight is another aspect of weather that has a lot of influence over our health. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is often associated with the colder, darker fall and winter months. The reduced sunlight alters our melatonin and serotonin levels, potentially leaving us with disruptions in sleep and mood. 

Ancient Chinese Medical texts describe a similar relationship between humans and their environment, though the wording and understanding of the nature of the environmental conditions differs slightly. 

In TCM there are 5 main “climates” or environmental influences related to our health.

These are: COLD, HEAT, WIND, DAMP, DRYNESS 

(summerheat, associated with late summer, is actually considered a 6th climate)

These potential causes of illness described in Chinese Medicine sound like weather patterns themselves and are considered external influences in origin but can penetrate to have effects on the body and create what we can think of as internal weather. We can also be more prone to their influence based on our constitution and lifestyle, (and can even manifest these ‘climates’ internally without external exposure). 

Any extremes with these various conditions can allow pathogens to enter, if our self-protective energy and efforts are weak, and leave us vulnerable to infections, such as with colds/flus. 

They can also go deeper in the body to directly affect the organs, with symptoms presenting throughout the body in the respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, nervous, musculo-skeletal systems and skin. 

Wind is understood as the biggest trouble-maker as it often combines with other influences to wreak havoc in the body. It can affect the joints, bring on skin rashes, or cause a spell of dizziness, among other issues. Cold can kill the digestive fire; combine that with a damp invasion and you can experience bloating and/or nausea. Heat and dryness, on the other hand, can injure the blood and yin fluids of the body causing symptoms such as fever, restlessness, scanty painful urination, brittle hair and excessive thirst.

Chinese medicine takes a more preventative approach to these issues by addressing imbalances before they express as more severe symptoms. There is also a focus on the integrity of the defensive energy of the body as well as the body’s ability to handle transitions with stability. Knowing our bodies will be continuously exposed to the challenge of seasonal weather changes and potential extremes of climate conditions, we can prepare accordingly.

Don’t wait for an internal weather emergency to call for an appointment, get in asap to strengthen your resilience to external weather conditions, balance out your internal climates and assist you in transitioning season to season with ease and well-being!

 

Ressource to expand on climates: https://tcmwiki.com/wiki/six-climatic-factors

Hoja de ayuda : 4 razones por las que nos enfermamos en otoño

Si siente que experimenta temporadas en las que simplemente no puede tomar un descanso y se enferma continuamente, es probable que haya algunas áreas en las que pueda estar atacando usted mismo y su sistema inmunológico y una temporada de gripe peor de lo habitual puede no ser, únicamente, donde debe estar la culpa.

A continuación se muestran 4 formas en que podría debilitar su sistema inmunológico y cómo combatir eso.

Deficiencia de vitamina D La vitamina D no solo es útil para prevenir o reducir las posibilidades de contraer cáncer, sino que también protege contra los resfriados y la gripe, además de ayudar a combatir el riesgo de infección. Entonces, ¿cómo puede obtener más vitamina D si siente que no está obteniendo suficiente? ¡Del sol! No solo proporciona a esto ayuda a dar calor a nuestro cuerpo, manteniendo así nuestros tejidos y órganos funcionando correctamente. 

¿No hay suficiente sol? ¡No es para preocuparse! Existe una gran variedad de suplementos de vitamina D que se pueden tomar, pero asegúrese de consultar con nosotros y con su médico antes de usarlos.

El Instituto Nacional de Sangre y Pulmones del Corazón afirma que “durante el sueño, su cuerpo está trabajando para apoyar la función cerebral saludable y mantener su salud física. En los niños y adolescentes, el sueño también ayuda a apoyar el crecimiento y el desarrollo. El daño de la deficiencia del sueño puede ocurrir en un instantáneo (como un accidente automovilístico), o puede dañarlo con el tiempo. Por ejemplo, la deficiencia continua del sueño puede aumentar el riesgo de padecer algunos problemas de salud crónicos, incluido un equilibrio inadecuado de citocinas. Las citocinas

son la inflamación y la infección que se dirigen a las proteínas producidas y En resumen, saltarse los ojos puede afectar lo bien que piensa, reacciona, trabaja, aprende e incluso se lleva bien con los demás. La National Sleep Foundation sugiere el siguiente rango de sueño según su edad: Recién nacidos (0-3 meses): el rango de sueño se redujo a 14-17 horas cada día (anteriormente era de 12 a 18)

Niños en edad escolar (6-13): rango de sueño ampliado en una hora a 9-11 horas (anteriormente era de 10-11) Adolescentes (14-17): rango de sueño ampliado en una hora a 8-10 horas (anteriormente era 8.5-9.5) Adultos (18-64): El rango de sueño es de 7-9 horas (nueva categoría de edad) Adultos mayores (65+): El rango de sueño es de 7-8 horas (nueva categoría de edad)

Lavarse las manos Lavarse las manos es clave para prevenir enfermedades o infecciones. No solo importa el acto de lavarse las manos, sino que también es importante la duración de cuánto tiempo se las lava. Tenemos algunas estadísticas inquietantes para usted que, con suerte, lo alentarán a dedicar más tiempo al ámbito de la higiene. Algunos estudios de la Sociedad Estadounidense de Microbiología y la Universidad Estatal de Michigan encontraron lo siguiente: – El 83% de las mujeres se lavaron las manos después de usar un baño público.

– El 74% de los hombres se lavaron las manos después de usar un baño público – El 95% de nosotros no nos lavamos las manos lo suficientemente bien como para matar las bacterias – 1 de cada 3 personas usa jabón para lavarse las manos

Estrés Una de las formas en que su cuerpo se cura a sí mismo es produciendo células T (una sustancia en la sangre que combate las infecciones). Hay muchas cosas que se ven afectadas dentro de su cuerpo cuando se estresa. En un nivel básico, su cuerpo liberará cortisol, que afecta la producción de células T y la capacidad de combatir infecciones de invasores extraños. Estar estresado afecta directamente su sistema inmunológico, por lo que es importante encontrar formas de relajarse. ¡Otra forma de combatir el estrés es utilizando la Medicina Tradicional China y los puntos de acupresión! ¡Si! ¡La acupuntura puede aliviar absolutamente el estrés y la ansiedad!

Al activar puntos específicos conocidos para abordar estos problemas, ¡podemos afectar activamente un cambio positivo en el bienestar emocional y mental! Aquí hay un par de puntos que se pueden usar: Ear Shen Men –

Este punto, Corazón 7, también se llama Shen Men, que significa Puerta del Espíritu. Este punto reduce los excesos que perturban el espíritu y el equilibrio del yin / yang. Este punto es tan poderoso que los practicantes de MTC a menudo elogian a Shen Men por ser el punto más calmante y relajante del cuerpo, además de ser muy accesible. Union Valley (LI 4) –

Se sabe que el punto reduce el estrés, los dolores de cabeza y el dolor de cuello. También se usa para tratar la hinchazón y el dolor del ojo, la obstrucción nasal, el dolor de garganta y mucho más. Este punto se encuentra en el dorso de la mano en el vértice del triángulo palmeado entre el pulgar y el índice.

CV 17 -Conception Vessel 17 (CV 17) es un gran punto de autoayuda por muchas razones. Conception Vessel 17 es fácil de encontrar y coincide con la ubicación del chakra del corazón, en el centro del esternón. Con este punto encontrarás un potente alivio del estrés y la ansiedad, así como una apertura del pecho y alivio de la indigestión ácida.

Para obtener más contenido educativo, síganos en las redes sociales o marque como favorito nuestro blog en su navegador para mantenerse actualizado sobre las últimas noticias y educación sobre la Medicina Tradicional China. Si está listo para comenzar a vivir un estilo de vida más saludable con la acupuntura y la medicina tradicional china, no espere, comuníquese y programe una cita

Llama ahora al (630) 837-4241
(630) 837-4241 Directions Contact/Schedule